A Home Filled with Sunshine: Inside Ebba’s Vintage-Inspired Haven

It’s Friday… and I’m in love. In love with the tiny shoots sprouting on the rose bushes outside. In love with the fact that March arrives tomorrow, bringing us one step closer to spring and summer. And in love with the idea of a weekend stretched out before us—not because anything special is planned, but simply for the slow mornings, the little household projects, the chats with my family, and the joy of popping out for errands. Are you feeling the weekend vibes too?

I’m also in love with Ebba Barkenbom’s house. Ebba—a certified doula and photographer who specialises in capturing the first moments of a baby's life—shares her home with her photographer husband Oscar and their three children, Ingrid, Maj-Britt, and Bertil. Every room in their beautiful family home is sprinkled with yellow, filling it with sunshine even on the cloudiest of days. It’s brimming with charming vintage touches, and there's the sweetest DIY idea in the children's bedroom—how I would have adored a nook like that as a child!

Ready to take a peek inside and soak up the sunshine-filled charm? Let’s dive in!

Ebba has painted the wood panelling in Claro from Jotun and the cabinets in NCS 1015-Y20R. 

The table is a DIY project - combining a worktop with the base from another table. 

The sofa is from IKEA and has been transformed with a linen cover and cushions from Bemz. 

The very cool hand-built bed nook has been made using wood panelling painted in linseed poil paint in tone burnt terra 15% and Green earth 7% from Gysinge Byggnadsvård. 

I love the sky blue on the floor and yellow touches around the window in the little bathroom, it may be a small space, but it sure is pretty! 

A charming family home, full of unique finds. Just lovely! 

Did you appreciate the touches of yellow too? 

It's time to wrap up here on the blog for the week, so I'll leave you with some Danish homes to dream about in case you find a quiet moment to browse with a coffee this weekend: 

A small-ish Danish apartment with a vibrant sunny feel

Spring has sprung in a Copenhagen home full of pastels

Warm, earthy tones in an international family home in Denmark

Happy weekend friends, thank you so much for stopping by! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @ebbabarkenbom, shared with kind permission. 

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Ylva's Lovely Swedish Family Apartment with Blue and Yellow Accents

Final stop for the week: this beautiful family apartment by the harbour in Gröndal, Stockholm - a perfect oasis for Ylva, her husband and their two children Maj and August. 

The pad itself is quite the find. Not only does it occupy a corner in a building dating back to 1913 - meaning light from two sides, it also boasts not one, not two, but three beautiful kakelugn (tiles masonry ovens). While bones are important, what you do with it and how it works for you as a family is crucial, and Ylva's home is full of lovely corners and inspiring details. Let's delve a little deeper. 

The dining area in the kitchen might not be big, but it certainly looks cosy thanks to built in seating and plenty of natural light. 

The cosy sitting room is arranged in a sociable way, with two sofas facing one another and cushions, blankets and a fluffy rug for maximum comfort! Notice the pale yellow and light blue tones which act as a the red thread (refer to my previous post for more info!) throughout the apartment. 

A simple wooden IKEA stool can be painted in whatever colour you like and is a great way to add in an extra touch of your chosen accent colour. 

The rug from Nordic knots is a nice twist on the usual Jute mat. I have this exact blue Flowerpot lamp by &Tradition in my home too! The bench table is from IKEA. 

Baskets are a popular storage choice in Ylva's home - used above to store firewood. I love the addition of the little children's chairs in the sitting room - a sign that are all are welcome and catered for. Keep an eye out for my post soon featuring a wonderful danish design classic which is now available in a children's size. Can you guess which one it is? 

A classic Swedish bumling light in brass can be seen over the dining table and mix and matched chairs create an informal, relaxed touch to the space. 

Bedding is a fantastic way to quickly update a room (look closely and you'll notice two single duvets instead of one double as is customary in a Swedish home - and something I've expanded on in my book: Lagom*). Here, a yellow duvet cover matches the art work over the bed - and ties the room in with the rest of the flat. 

The children's bedrooms are the exact mirror reflection of each other. 

Yellow curtains offer a cheerful, sunny feel even when the sky is grey, and an array of baskets make the ideal storage for bears and other bits and bobs (this type of storage is particularly good as children can just chuck things in - which makes tidying up quick and easy). 

The yellow and blue theme is carried through to the bathroom in the form of paint work and art, while the maroon chequered floor is a wonderful nod to the age of the building. If you look back through the pictures, you'll notice this hue in other rooms too, albeit in very subtle ways. 

All in all, a truly lovely, well thought out home, do you agree? I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you have observed, always so interesting! 

If you'd like to see more of Ylva's home, hop on over to @doneriet on instagram where you'll find a ton more images. 

Right folks, that's it from me! Lot's to do today with work to finish off, a daughter's birthday to plan (Liv turns sweet 16 tomorrow!) and packing for my trip to Denmark for Formland on Sunday. All fun things, but I'll really appreciate that Friday glass of wine (or two) this evening!

Skål to the weekend! 

Niki

Photography: @doneriet, shared with kind permission.

PS Just a heads up that there is only two weeks left to make the most of the Skandinavisk 20% discount (myscandinavianhome20). You can read more about my two of my favourite fragrances for hand soaps, body washes, candles etc and see pics of them in my cabin from this sponsored post here. 

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Pantone Colours of 2021: Illuminating Yellow & Grounding Grey:

You know the year is coming to a close when Pantone announces its colour of the year! For 2021 they've taken a slightly different approach with not one but TWO individual, yet complimentary colours.  After the year that 2020 has been, everyone had an inkling that the guys might just opt for a vibrant colour. And they certainly didn't disappoint, listing the first shade as PANTONE 13-0647 or “illuminating yellow” – a bright, optimistic and vivacious tone. The second, is a more muted PANTONE 17-5104 - named "grounding grey". 

"Something that’s been apparent across the board is how much we need each other, that these connections with others have given us strength and fortitude, as well as the hope and the positive outlook that are essential to our moving forward,” Pantone’s spokesperson said. “By choosing two independent colors, that helped us subliminally convey that message.” 

While grey has always held a place in my Scandinavian-design heart, yellow is not a hue I've ever gone for in my own home (despite appreciating it in the homes of others!). However, after a little digging around the net for inspiration, I might just have been swayed. Take a peek at these sunny rooms - you might just fall in love with it too, either way, the colour will certainly put a spring in your step! 

What do you think? Did you find these space uplifting too? 

I think Pantone’s choices are really on the pulse of what's happening around the world right now. And although this is not the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of yellow as their colour of the year, this feels like a very much needed lift to our homes in 2021! 

In case you're feeling inspired to add a drop of golden sun to your home, here's a round-up of 11 vibrant pieces: 

GET THE LOOK

1. Alphabeta Uno pendant
2. Lemon Print
3. Lean lounge chair
4. Restore storage basket*
5. Aalto stool E60
6. Mono blanket wool*
7. C.Lamp
8. Suede oven glove
9. DLM table
10. Hatch Ikat Flatweave Yellow Area Rug
11. Bellhop table lamp


Here's to a brighter 2021!

Niki


PS I'll be stopping by tomorrow for my last post of 2020 and excited to share a few ideas I have for My Scandinavian Home for the upcoming year, I'd love to get your input too! See you then!

PPS Thank you so much to Ana for helping me to compile this post - and for all her wonderful behind the scenes work over the year.

1. Luisa Brimble 2. Farrow and Ball 3. Laure and Joliet 4. Mattias Hamré 5 & 6. Elle Decor - Sean Fennessy 7. Anki Wijnen 8. Cindy Denekamp 9. Studio Rhonda

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A Vibrant Family Home in An Architect Designed Mid-century House

G'day! It's another absolute ripper here in Sweden - even so, I thought we could venture to Sydney's Northern Beaches (virtually of course - although wouldn't it be nice to stop by in person?) to visit the incredible mid-century home of Louise and Graeme Bell, and their children Jasper and Anoushka. The three bedroom, glass fronted house was built by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 and features the most fabulous butterfly roof. Their trades (Louise is founder of the popular homeware store Table Tonic and Graeme is an architect) have meant they have been able to thoughtfully renovate the house over time and create a beautiful, vibrant family home. Think classic mid-century furniture, contemporary art and luscious layers of texture. Let's dive in!

 I spy pretty juju hats (sold through Table Tonic), a Marshall speaker and contemporary art by Henry Curchord.

A Snakes Tongue plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue!) is one of those wonderful house plants which can be neglected for weeks on end and still look fresh. Oh and it can also survive low light conditions. 

A vintage leather sofa (source similar here) and a pair of Moroccan poufs help to create a relaxed, cosy vibe. 

The pair installed a new 1950s-style sandstone fireplace and hearth in the centre of the house. Six Bertoia chairs have been placed around the dining table beneath a Louis Poulsen PH5 lamp. But above all else - I love how the bar has been designed so it can be accessed from both the sitting room and dining room. It's all in the details!

The sitting room has been kitted out with a corner sofa from King Living,  Mark Tuckey coffee table, Cross blanket by Pia Wallén and a Beni ourain rug (available through Table Tonic). But the real star of the show is the panoramic window offering views of the garden and lush surroundings.

 The family's adorable Italian Greyhounds Audrey and Lucia chilling in front of the classic mid-century house designed by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 for his own family. 

 I wouldn't mind sitting on one of these fabulous yellow butterfly chairs (source similar here) for a while and simply taking in the afternoon sun - fancy joining me?!

The front door has been painted in Dulux "Gold Rush" for a very sunny welcome! 

What a fabulous house?!  I love the architecture, it's just incredible. The pair have worked really hard to maintain the original features too, I really appreciate that!

Could you imagine living here?!

You can see more of Louise's home here - and shop the look over on Table Tonic.

For more mid-century inspiration today you might like to check-out this archive (if this home pops up first just scroll passed!).

I hope your day sparkles like the sun - or you at least get to kick back in a chair like those butterfly ones for a while!


Niki 

All photography: Louise Bell / Table Tonic

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